Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Status update — April 2, 2021

Kiva and MAXIMA Microfinance have agreed to end their partnership after over 10 years and more than $4M in loans raised. This partner has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We thank MAXIMA for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.

Status update — August 23, 2017

Kiva recently re-assessed the level of risk associated with loans from this Lending Partner. During this process, our analysts gathered updated operational and financial information about the institution, spoke with key members of the staff and analyzed the Lending Partner’s loan products. As a result of this process, MAXIMA Microfinance's risk rating is now listed as 2.5 stars instead of 3.5 stars. The primary reason for this change is that Kiva has decreased the level of due diligence and risk monitoring on this organization due their lower level of loan postings in the past year. Our internal policy limits partners with this lower level of due diligence a rating no greater than 3.0 stars.

Partner description

MAXIMA Microfinance PLC is a microfinance institution (MFI) in Cambodia established in 2000.

With 10 regional offices operating in 4 provinces in and around Phnom Penh, MAXIMA has developed a strong reputation as a socially and environmentally responsible MFI. The organization’s commitment to client protection and corporate social responsibility mean that MAXIMA is able to maintain a competitive position within the Cambodian MFI sector while also providing much needed financial services to the rural and urban poor.

MAXIMA management and employees deeply believe that sustainable and responsible access to credit can help Cambodians to boost their income, send their children to school, pay for health care and improve their overall quality of life. It is MAXIMA’s view that the right loan can empower a person to build a brighter future, not only for their family, but for their entire community.

A Unique Lending Approach

Women

A major limitation to low-income households in Cambodia is the exclusion of women from income-generating activities. Some of the first loans MAXIMA disbursed were to a group of female silk weavers on Koh Dach and Koh Oknha Tey islands on the Mekong River. It was the first time anyone on the islands had been given access to microfinance services. Women now make up 79% of MAXIMA’s client base and many are utilizing microfinance to improve the wellbeing of their families by scaling home businesses, purchasing a means of transportation or making improvements to their homes.

Rural Inclusion

MAXIMA aims to contribute to the economic and social progress of rural Cambodia. MAXIMA disburses and collects repayments from borrowers at their homes or workplaces. Door-to-door services and other rural inclusion methods allow Maxima to reach more people in more remote communities. With the help of microloans, many Cambodians are able to remain in their villages and continue to successfully generate income from their businesses or farms rather than having to relocate to the city to seek employment.

Vulnerable Populations

MAXIMA are also breaking new ground in their introduction of microloans to refugees in Cambodia. MAXIMA is working with the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) to launch a pilot program that will allow a number of newly settled refugees in Phnom Penh the opportunity to use microloans to scale their businesses. 

A MAXIMA client with a weaving business.

MAXIMA Microfinance Plc was formally known as MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Plc. They changed their name on Sept 2015 to comply with a request from the National Bank of Cambodia to standardize on naming conventions for MF organizations.